I’ve been a real estate broker for over 10 years in Joshua Tree and am an ardent supporter of the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act. First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood recently came out with an erroneous statement that he is concerned that the CDCRA will harm jobs and the economy.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The Act will not only protect special places for wildlife and ensure that off-road vehicle enthusiasts will have legal places to ride, it will help increase revenue directly and indirectly for many businesses, including real estate.

Studies show that public lands and the amenities they provide like beautiful scenery and wildlife help increase the value of residential properties that are adjacent to protected areas — sometimes as much as 20 percent!

The fact that protecting public lands benefits the economy is no longer a secret and is why in 2011, 100 academics and economists wrote President Obama to state that national parks, wilderness areas and other protected lands actually attract innovative companies and workers and play an integral role in retaining people and businesses.

We now know that the old myth of having to choose between conservation and jobs is false. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors should endorse the CDCRA and help businesses throughout the county increase revenue and create jobs.

— Peter Marshall Spurr, Joshua Tree

Landers solar project a step in wrong direction

The proposed Bowers solar project in Landers is the perfect example of the direction our San Bernardino County communities identified we do not want to take. This project is in complete conflict with the rural character of the area as well as the Homestead Valley Community Plan.

San Bernardino County has one of the most innovative renewable energy plants in the entirety of North America. Take a look at the example being set by the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority Omnivore Plant. We should be the county that sets the example for renewable energy and how to get it right. That should not include plopping a 35-acre solar project in the middle of a rural community.

A project comprised of technology, if it isn’t already, will become obsolete long before the end of the project’s “life cycle.” Our county Board of Supervisors and staff have done a spectacular job with the framework identified out of the SPARC process.

Let’s be innovative leaders and show the nation we don’t have to sacrifice our desert, its wildlife or our rural communities to achieve our renewable energy goals.

— Lorrie L. Steely, Apple Valley

Police are trained to shoot center mass

Re “Why don’t police just shoot to injure, not kill?” (Letters, April 26):

Regarding Barbara Campbell’s letter about police shootings, shooting to wound looks easy in the movies and on television, but in real life is almost impossible. An officer has a few seconds to decide whether to shoot or not. Despite the training, an arm or leg is a small target and it’s moving as is the officer. If the officer misses, that bullet will continue past the intended target and possibly hit an innocent bystander. For that reason, officers are taught to aim for center of mass, the torso.

To see how difficult this is, run until your heart rate is high. Don’t stop moving. Now try to point at something about 2 feet long by 4 inches wide. I think this will show how hard this is. Remember, your target isn’t moving like the officer would be.

— Ivan Clevenger, Lytle Creek

Why not comply with police officer’s orders?

We keep hearing every week about police brutality, people killed or beat up by the police. So what do the others do? They riot, loot, destroy hard-working people’s and taxpayers’ property, burn police vehicles, etc.

But what really gets me is that every single one of these so-called victims had criminal records, were committing a crime, armed with a gun or knife, or resisted police commands and resisted arrest.

What in the world do they and their families expect? Then the police are the first ones they call when they are in trouble or have an emergency health issue. Respect needs to be shown for the police as well. Maybe a “thank you” when you see one in public.

— Steve Portias, San Bernardino

Making a mockery of our water conservation efforts

“We’re all in this together.”

A slogan used by California politicians exhorting us to conserve water. I’m beginning to question the validity of this rallying cry when I observe all the construction projects being built and others now in the planning stages. Our various city councils keep voting to approve more construction. It makes a mockery of our water conservation efforts.

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